Govt vows to combat human trafficking

The Ministry of Justice has made new operational commitments to ensure sustainable development including combating human trafficking, said an official press release on Monday.

The new operational commitments also included strengthening the rule of law in international cooperation, using research data that takes better account of different population groups, and reducing the carbon footprint of its administrative branch.

The commitments implement the Ministry’s vision for sustainable development for 2030, which is ‘a democratic state governed by the rule of law, with respect for fundamental and human rights and sustainable judicial administration’. The vision is based on the goals set out in the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which the Ministry of Justice has pledged to observe.

“By making these new commitments, we want to challenge ourselves and others to work for sustainable development. At the same time, we are seeking to make a greater impact through our work. We will also regularly monitor the progress we make in achieving these goals,” said Permanent Secretary Pekka Timonen.

The Ministry of Justice pledges to develop legislation and the activities of public authorities in a comprehensive manner in order to combat trafficking in human beings, even beyond the measures directly implementing the Action Plan against Trafficking in Human Beings. The Action Plan adopted by the government in May covers the period 2021–2023.

The Ministry also pledges to adopt a participatory approach and engage in constructive dialogue in its anti-trafficking work. Furthermore, the Ministry undertakes to actively inform the public about trafficking in human beings and anti-trafficking work in various ways.

The Ministry undertook to strengthen the rule of law in international cooperation. The strengthening of the rule of law will support the peaceful development of society in many ways and helps guarantee protection under the law for all.

It undertook to reduce non-essential travel by increasing the use of modern technical solutions and digital materials and by participating in international meetings more often through remote connections.

The commitments will be monitored annually.

Society's Commitment to Sustainable Development and the related operational commitments are a key instrument for implementing the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Commitments can be concrete measures, changes in practices or innovative experiments that will be carried out over a period of 5 to 10 years.

The earlier operational commitments made by the Ministry concern promoting diversity in the Ministry's recruitments, encouraging the Ministry's personnel to adopt healthy and low-emission commuting methods, and taking sustainable development into account in the Ministry's procurements and communications.